UPDATE 1.25PM: The Bureau of Meteorology has reported that winds in Bendigo have picked up in the last hour reaching 65 km/h.
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BOM duty forecaster Andrea Peace said until 12.30pm winds had been light when some showers and thunder storms hit near Bendigo.
Ms Peace said there were also lightening strikes occurring around the Bendigo area.
She said BOM expected windy weather to continue over the next 24 to 48 hours.
State Emergency Service regional manager John Parker has said the SES is expecting strong winds to peak in Woodend and Gisborne areas tomorrow morning between 7 and 10am.
Mr Parker said the SES was not yet concerned about the winds in Bendigo.
He said there were high average wind speeds across the whole state, particularly gusts of up to 100 km/h across the southern ranges and alpine region.
UPDATE 11.30AM: Damaging winds of about 60 km/h with peak gusts of 90 km/h are forecast for parts of central Victoria, mainly with shower or thunderstorm activity.
As at 11am Monday - Highest gusts recorded since midnight Sunday include 128km/h at Mt William, 108 km/h at Mount Hotham, 104 km/h at Mt Buller, 95km/h at Sth Channel Island, 91km/h at Melbourne Airport and Fawkner Beacon.
UPDATE 9AM: A large fallen tree, which blocked the Calder Highway this morning, has been cleared.
UPDATE 8AM: A fallen tree is blocking south-bound traffic on the Calder Highway at Big Hill.
Bendigo Police and the State Emergency Service are on scene to remove the tree and redirect traffic.
Police said the tree had fallen as a result of strong winds this morning.
A State Emergency Services spokeswoman said the large tree was covering "almost the entire road" and that traffic management was in place.
EARLIER: DAMAGING winds are expected to hit central Victoria later today.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a weather warning, saying a strong cold front will reach southwestern Victoria this morning, central areas of the state in the afternoon and the northeast by the evening.
Strong to gale force northerly winds ahead of the front will shift west to northwesterly following the front, with scattered showers, local hail and thunder to follow.
Damaging winds around 60 to 80 km/h are expected over southern and mountain districts, with gusts around 90 to 100km/h. Peak gusts of 100-120 km/h are expected over elevated areas.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should move vehicles under cover or away from trees, secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony and keep clear of fallen power lines.
For emergency help, ring the SES Unit on 132 500.
Is it raining at your house yet? Share your wet weather pics with us below, send them to cos@bendigoadvertiser.com.au or hashtag #bgowetweather